Is Gambling Legal In Tennessee

  • Lottery (2002)
  • $323 million
  • $930 million
  • 18
  • Tennessee permits smoking anywhere minors are not permitted
  • There are no forms of legalized online gambling in Tennessee

There are no Tennessee casinos or gambling other than the state lottery. Charities may not hold bingo games but may spread low limit raffles for prizes but not cash. That is the only other form of gambling if you can call it that. There are, however, many event centers that will provide transport to casinos within nearby states.

Tennessee is a very conservative state. It was the 48th state to legalize some form of gambling when voters approved a constitutional amendment to create a lottery in November 2002. Players looking for casino action on the west side of the state will need to go to Tunica, MS. Those on the east side of the state are within a couple of hours of one of the Harrah’s casinos in North Carolina. Nashville residents will need to drive north to Indiana, Ohio or Illinois.

Nov 01, 2020 Tennessee does not have a long history of legal gambling, so it could be a new experience for many bettors. Getting started with one of Tennessee’s sportsbooks is fairly straightforward. Here are the basic steps: Download an app (or apps): Choose one of the sportsbook options and proceed to the download page. Downloading a sportsbook app is. The fine line, however, is that gambling regulation is done on a state-by-state basis. This is what determines the legality of gambling sites in the United States. Gambling is deemed completely legal at the federal level, but state-based governments control its practice and regulation of legal USA gambling sites.

There is no horse racing in Tennessee. Kentucky fills that void just to the north with live and off-track betting on horses. There are also instant racing machines at some Kentucky tracks. Below you will find a guide of Tennessee casino event centers that take gamblers to casinos in other states.

Paying Gambling Taxes in Tennessee

OnlineUnitedStatesCasinos has gathered everything you need to know about paying taxes on your gambling winnings straight from a Certified Public Accountant. For more information please visit our exclusive Gambling Taxes article.

Tennessee Casinos Map of Event Centers

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Type of Online Tennessee Gambling Allowed

There are no forms of legal online gambling in Tennessee. Daily fantasy sports sites operate in the state. The companies claim to fall under skill gaming exemptions. State law seems to contradict that, according to experienced gaming lawyers. The state legislature is looking to create a committee of nine members to investigate how to regulate the daily fantasy sports industry. In the meantime, sites like DraftKings, FanDuel, and CBS Sports accept players from the state.

Types of Live Tennessee Gambling

  • Casino Games: No
  • Horses: No
  • Lottery: Yes

The only form of legalized Tennessee gambling is a state lottery. Scratch-off and lotto tickets may be sold. This includes state drawings like Cash 3 and Cash 4, as well as interstate lottos like Mega Millions and Powerball.

There are three casino cities near Tennessee state lines. Tunica County, Mississippi has resort-style casinos with a full slate of games that include slots, video poker, live poker and table games. West Memphis, Arkansas has the same selection of games except that the poker room is digital. Harrah’s Cherokee is just east in North Carolina. Its two resorts offer slots, video poker, a digital poker room and table games.

Any resident of Tennessee that wants to play at these casinos can simply drive out to them. There are also Tennessee casinos services that transport players to and from these locations in neighboring states. For a small fee, players will get taken to these casinos that lie right on the Tennessee border.

Tennessee Gambling Laws

Tennessee gambling in virtually all forms is banned. Tennessee gambling is defined as a game where money is risked where there is any degree contingent on chance. This is why daily fantasy sports experts think that those games are illegal in Tennessee. Most gambling crimes are misdemeanors.

The only game of chance legal in Tennessee is a lottery but only if it is operated by the state. Lottery players must be at least 18 years of age. The Tennessee Lottery may only offer instant scratch-offs and lotto games. Tickets may not be sold over the Internet.

Tennessee is one of just three states where charitable bingo is illegal. Utah and Hawaii are the other two states. Charities may hold an annual function with prizes held through raffles or a similar procedure. The annual event may not raise more than $5,000.

List of Tennessee Casinos

As there are no Tennessee casinos within the state border, players must look elsewhere to bet on regular casino games. However, the only places in Tennessee to gamble are the thousands of convenience stores that sell lottery tickets. Horse racing enthusiasts can travel to neighboring Kentucky for live and off-track action. Tennessee casino gamblers can go to Arkansas, Mississippi or North Carolina.

History of Tennessee Gambling

Bingo is illegal today in Tennessee, even for charities. It is one of just three states to do not permit it. That was not always the case.

Operation Rocky Top was an FBI sting that targeted the bingo industry. There were 300 bingo operations running in 1986 when a lawmaker approached the FBI saying he had been offered a bribe. State Rep. Randy McNally infiltrated the illegal bingo businesses that turned a game meant for charities into commercial operations. McNally was offered a $10,000 bribe to help push for horse racing in the state. In January 1989, the case was brought out in the open and indictments was unsealed. More than 50 people were convicted in Operation Rocky Top.

The Tennessee Supreme Court ruled on March 1, 1989, that bingo should have been illegal all along. The court stated that bingo, even for charities, violated the constitutional ban on lotteries.

Tennessee Casinos & Gambling FAQ

Is there gambling in Tennessee?

The only form of legalized gambling is a state lottery.

What types of games are offered by the Tennessee Lottery?

Scratch-off and lotto tickets are sold. This includes interstate jackpot games like Mega Millions and Powerball.

Can you buy Tennessee Lottery tickets over the Internet?

State law does not permit the sale of lottery tickets over the Internet.

Lottery players must be at least 18 years of age.

Are daily fantasy sports contests legal in Tennessee?

Many legal experts believe daily fantasy sports are illegal in Tennessee due to the “any chance” language in the state’s gambling law. This does not keep sites from operating in the state.

What daily fantasy sites accept Tennessee players?

Is gambling legal in tennessee attractions

FanDuel and DraftKings are the two major sites that accept players from Tennessee.

There are no casinos in Tennessee. For those residents that still want to gamble have to go to nearby states.

South Land Park in West Memphis is right across the Mississippi River from Memphis. It offers slots, video poker, table games and a poker room. There are several resort casinos about 45 minutes south of Memphis in Mississippi.

Where are the closest casinos to Knoxville and Chattanooga?

The closest casinos to Knoxville and Chattanooga are the pair of Harrah’s Cherokee casinos in western North Carolina.

Tropicana Evansville in Indiana is the closest casino to Nashville.

Are online poker, casino and sports betting sites legal in Tennessee?

No. All of these sites are unlicensed and illegal in the state.

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Legal sports betting is now a reality in Tennessee. On November 1, 2020, the first online sportsbooks launched their platforms in the Volunteer State, providing bettors with numerous online sports betting options at their fingertips.

Tennessee online sports betting was legalized in Spring 2019, following the state legislature approving the Tennessee sports betting bill. The bill was passed into Tennessee Gambling law without the signature of the governor. In a different approach to other states that have legalized sports betting, TN sports betting rules dictate that you can only place wagers online, and there will be no physical sportsbooks.

Sports betting in Tennessee is now fully legal and live, with wagering activity will be done online and mobile. The Gamble Michigan site will provide you with all of the latest information about legal, regulated sports betting online in Tennessee. We will update you with information on the latest sports betting apps to go live in the state, including their bonus offers and more. Be sure to check back on the website to keep updated on all things TN gambling.

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Tennessee Sports Betting Launch Update

By the time Halloween rolls around, the legal sports betting market in Tennessee will be active. State officials gave the green light to make sports betting live in Tennessee on Nov 1. Tennessee state regulators have recently approved three licenses for sportsbook operators, with more big names to enter the state soon.

The three operators who have received licenses to operate in Tennessee include FanDuel Sportsbook, DraftKings Sportsbook, and BetMGM Sportsbook. These licenses were approved by the Sports Wagering Committee of the Tennessee Education Lottery. The committee met in October 2020 to discuss allowing other operators to launch their online sports betting platforms in Tennessee.

With licenses now issued and legal sports betting now allowed, activity in the state is really hotting up. It was initially hoped that sports betting in Tennessee would go live at the end of 2019 or in time for Super Bowl 2021; however, both dates passed with no sportsbooks launching in the state. Since Tennessee decided to legalize sports betting, six states have established their own sports betting industry. Tennessee will be one of the few southern states to have a legalized sports betting industry, joining Mississippi and Arkansas. However, those states prohibit online sports betting.

Is gambling legal in Tennessee?

New rules introduced in the state now mean that online sports gambling in TN is legal. You do need to be aged 21 and over and physically located in the state in order to wager. In contrast to other states where there are physical sportsbooks, TN has adopted an online and TN sportsbook app sports betting model. To confirm you are in the state, you will need to allow location settings on your mobile, or you may need to use a geolocation plugin. This sportsbook geolocation technology can pinpoint your exact location in TN meaning you can legally wager in the state.

Tennessee Sports Betting Apps

The only way you can wager on sports in Tennessee is via online betting sites and mobile apps. There are currently four operator apps available in the state, but that is about to change. Any operator can apply to launch a sportsbook in Tennessee, but they will need to be approved by state regulators before launching. Major brands will likely want to be involved in the sports betting Tennessee action, despite a high tax rate at 20%.

We can safely assume which operators will offer a sportsbook in Tennessee judging by their activity in other parts of the United States. Most of these operators will have dedicated mobile sports apps for both Apple and Android users. It is believed there have been four brands that have submitted license requests to the Tennessee EducationLottery. The names have not been revealed, but the likely candidates to offer online sports betting in Tennessee include:

  • Caesars
  • FoxBet
  • bet365
  • 888
  • PointsBet

Which sportsbooks are available in Tennesee?

As of November 1, there are 4 legal sportsbooks in the state. They are

There are many benefits to wagering on a mobile sports app. Apps typically offer more betting options than a retail sportsbook, and there is no need to travel to place a bet. You can do so from the comfort of your own home. As online gambling in Tennessee develops, more apps will be introduced, giving bettors numerous options at their fingertips.

Is internet gambling legal in tennessee

How Sports Betting will work in Tennessee

It was somewhat of a shock when Tennessee state regulators decided to introduce legal sports betting to the state. Tennessee has traditionally taken an anti-gambling stance in the past, so the state’s decision to enter the sports betting industry following the fall of PASPA came as a surprise.

TN sports betting will soon be legal, and the state has taken a different approach compared to other legal sports betting industries across the US. In Tennessee, sports wagering will be offered exclusively online, making it the first state to provide online options but no physical sportsbooks. The reason behind this decision is that Tennessee has no legal gambling locations. There are no casinos in Tennessee, and apart from the state lottery and online horse betting, there are no other gambling options for residents.

However, that is set to change with the introduction of legal sports betting. When the industry does launch, residents and visitors to Tennessee will discover the following types of bets:

  • Moneylines
  • Point Spreads
  • Totals
  • Live Betting (In-play)
  • Propositions
  • Parlays
  • Futures

The most common type of bet is a moneyline wager, where you will bet on the winner of a game. One of the most popular types of bets for those interested in sports betting is a futures bet. This calls for a bettor to predict the outcome of an entire season. You will have the option to bet on a team or an individual player. For example, you could make some Super Bowl predictions before the regular season even starts, or who you think will score the most TD’s during the season.

Live betting is prevalent as it allows players to place a bet once the game has already started. For example, you could bet on the next drive in an NFL game, or who will score the next three-pointer in an NBA game. The best online sports betting sites in Tennessee will offer rolling scores and odds so players can keep up to date with what is happening in real-time and bet accordingly. The odds will constantly change to reflect what is occurring in the game.

Banking & Security

Making deposits and withdrawals is an essential part of using an online sportsbook. You want to make sure that when you sign up for a book and make a deposit then you are doing so safely and securely. There are several ways to deposit at a TN sportsbook and we have guides that make banking easy. One of the most popular methods is using PayPal. There are now several TN sportsbooks that use PayPal. Most of us already have a PayPal account so using them as a banking option makes sense. It’s simple, fast, safe, and secure.

Sports Betting Markets in Tennessee

Tennessee is home to two of the most well-known cities in the country; Nashville and Memphis. As such, Tennessean sports will feature heavily in the sports markets offered by the state’s sportsbooks. Tennessee also has two prominent universities; the University of Tennessee and Vanderbilt, and numerous other top-quality schools that play Division I athletics. All of this means Tennessee residents will have plenty of local sports action to bet on.

Players must be aware that betting types for individual sports have to be changed due to their formats. For example, football betting books may launch in the state that offer NFL point spreads and NFL betting lines.

Pro Sports Teams in Tennessee

The big professional sports leagues andNCAA College sports will make up the majority of Tennessee sports betting revenue. Here is a breakdown of what betting on those leagues could look like once Tennessee sports betting is up and running.

NBA Betting in Tennessee

NBA betting is prevalent across the US. Numerous futures markets are offered, such as the National Champions or divisional playoff winners, as well as considerable live betting options. For Tennessee bettors, the Memphis Grizzlies of the NBA will be a popular betting option. TN sports betting sites will offer a plethora of NBA odds for each game, so you are covered if you are a basketball fan.

NFL Betting in Tennessee

Football is the most popular sport in the United States so expect the NFL to be the most popular betting option among professional sports in Tennessee. College football is also popular in the state, but pro football will still take center stage. The Tennessee Titans will see a lot of betting action in their home state. The Titans enjoyed a successful 2019 season reaching the AFC Championship game.

NHL Betting in Tennessee

The NHL may be one of the more surprising leagues to attract bettors, but it has proven to be extremely popular among sports fans across the country. The Nashville Predators are the ‘home team’ of Tennessee sports fans and are former Western Conference champions.

MLS Betting in Tennessee

The MLS is expanding all the time, and it was only recently that Tennessee could say it was home to a professional soccer team. Nashville SC is now part of the MLS and was playing in its first season before the league had to shut down due to the Coronavirus.

Horse Racing in Tennessee

Betting on Horse Racing in TN is legal, however, there are no races to take place in the state.

Sports Betting Restrictions in Tennessee

It is fantastic news that legal sports betting is now live in Tennessee; however, there are some restrictions in place. There are some types of wagers that players will not be allowed to make, which is enshrined in state law. First, it is illegal to bet on high school sports events in Tennessee, which is the same for any states that offer sports betting.

Next, bettors are prohibited from making any in-play or live bets on any college sports. You can place a bet on a college game before kickoff, but you cannot make more bets once the action is underway. Finally, the only legal betting marketing in Tennessee is sports betting. Non-sporting events such as TV awards ceremonies or political elections are not permitted.

How to Join an Online Sportsbook in Tennessee

Creating a sports betting account is a straightforward process in Tennessee with any sportsbook that you choose. When the market matures and grows, there will be a lot of competition, so players are likely to come across many offers enticing them to sign up.

You will be required to download the app to your mobile device. This is simple as once you access the download page of your chosen sportsbook, there will be instructions for iOS and Android users. Those with an iOS device can just download the app from the App store; all they need to do is make sure the app is universal or specific to Tennessee. Android users will need to download the app directly from the sportsbook website and ensure their phone is set to allow downloads from unknown sources.

Once the app has downloaded, you will need to provide some details, which is standard for sports betting websites. A sportsbook will require your name, address, email, birth date, phone number, and social security number. Once you have entered that information, you will need to create a username and password, and then you are all set.

Tennessee Sports Betting FAQs

What is the Tennessee gambling age?

The legal age to gamble on sports in TN is 21, which is the same as most US states.

Is sports betting legal in Tennessee?

Tennessee Gaming

Yes, sports betting was legalized in Tennessee in 2019. This is only for online betting; retail betting remains prohibited in the state.

Who oversees the sports betting industry in Tennessee?

The Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation will oversee sports betting activity in the state. In 2019, state regulators finalized a set of rules and regulations dictating how sports betting will operate in Tennessee.

When will sports betting be legal in Tennessee?

Sports betting is currently legal in Tennessee; sportsbooks officially launched in the state on November 1, 2002.

Are offshore betting sites safe?

We would not recommend using an offshore betting site. They work outside of the guidelines set by US law, and you would not be protected when using them as you would with sites that have a betting license. With many operators likely to have a fully licensed sportsbook in Tennessee, it is best to use a regulated & legal sportsbook, rather than play at an offshore operator such as Bovada.

Is FanDuel Sportsbook legal in Tennessee?

Yes, they are. The FanDuel sportsbook went live in TN on November 1, 2020.

How do you bet on sports in Tennessee?

Now that sports betting is live, players will need to download the app of their chosen sportsbook or visit their website to bet. All betting activity in Tennessee is exclusively online; there are no retail sportsbook options. Once you have created an online account, you can bet on your favorite sports and events.

Who can bet on sports in Tennessee?

You have to be 21 years old to gamble in Tennessee legally. This is the standard legal gambling age for most states that offer sports wagering in the country.

Is online gambling legal in Tennessee?

All betting will have to be done online in Tennessee. The only form of gambling that has been legalized in the state is sports wagering. TN sports betting was launched on Nov 1, with bettors having the opportunity to bet on their favorite Tennessee sports teams.